Women Warriors, Now In The Front Lines
Published January 27th, 2013
GAINESVILLE - Even though women have been serving alongside their male counterparts in places like afghanistan and iraq, it's never been for combat. This doesn't mean they're getting off easy though... Under the military's new rules, they'll have to meet the same physical requirements as men. Defense secretary leon panetta lifted the ban thursday on women serving in direct combat roles.
Kathleen Yacovelli, who's been an Army Nurse Corp Officer in the reserves for 22 years now supports the idea as she thinks it will empower women to feel as equal as men. She also says the news isn't surprising. Yacovelli says, "Really there are no front lines in any of our conflicts anymore. So a medic or a combat support person whether they're male or female are at risk even though they're not serving in a front line combat role."
Others however don't feel the same way. I also spoke to some people who are very concerned as to how this is going to affect the military's missions. Stay tuned for tonight (1/25/13) at 11pm, to find out why some people disagree with the idea.
Reporter:
Stephanie Bechara
